(CAR ACCIDENT, SLIP AND FALL, DOG BITES, WRONGFUL DEATH, WRONGFUL TERMINATION, EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, BURN CASES, BULLYING, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, ASSAULT, ABUSE, AND OTHER SERIOUS INJURIES)

ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT FOR PERSONAL INJURY CASES
(CAR ACCIDENT, SLIP AND FALL, DOG BITES, WRONGFUL DEATH, WRONGFUL TERMINATION, EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, BURN CASES, BULLYING, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, ASSAULT, ABUSE, AND OTHER SERIOUS INJURIES)

Most people recognize the physical aspects resulting from an accident or serious injury. A physical injury is usually easy to see, diagnose and prove, especially when you have medical reports that detail your treatment.

The emotional trauma and psychological injuries aren’t always visible, and sometimes even the injured person doesn’t fully understand the depth of their impact. Victims may lose loved ones in an accident, witness violent and traumatic injuries, have chronic anxiety and depression, have fears of driving, or deal with losing their physical abilities. The emotional damage could last for years, or even a lifetime, after an accident.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition commonly reported by patients in personal injury cases. Studies show that up to 70% of all American adults have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives. It is estimated that 29% to 34% of victims of serious car accidents will develop PTSD within several months after the accident. While many can recover from the emotional impact of a tragic occurrence, up to a fifth of all trauma survivors, go on to develop PTSD.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

Here is a summary of the criteria for diagnosing PTSD according to the DSM-5:

Criterion A: Stressor (one required)

The person was exposed to death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence in the following way(s):

• Direct exposure
• Witnessing the trauma
• Learning that a relative or close friend was exposed to a trauma.
• Indirect exposure to aversive details of the trauma, usually in the course of professional duties (e.g., first responders, medics)

Criterion B: Intrusion Symptoms (one required)

The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in the following way(s):

• Unwanted upsetting memories
• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Emotional distress after exposure to traumatic reminders
• Physical reactivity after exposure to traumatic reminders

Criterion C: Avoidance (one required)
Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli after the trauma, in the following way(s):

• Trauma-related thoughts or feelings
• Trauma-related external reminders
• Criterion D: Negative Alterations in Cognitions and Mood (two required)
• Negative thoughts or feelings that began or worsened after the trauma in the following way(s):
• Inability to recall key features of the trauma
• Overly negative thoughts and assumptions about oneself or the world
• Exaggerated blame of self or others for causing the trauma
• Negative affect
• Decreased interest in activities
• Feeling isolated
• Difficulty experiencing positive affect

Criterion E: Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity (two required)
Trauma-related arousal and reactivity that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s):

• Irritability or aggression
• Risky or destructive behavior
• Hypervigilance
• Heightened startle reaction
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping

Criterion F, H, G:

• The symptoms have to last for more than one month.
• The signs have to create distress or impairments in one or more areas of functioning (e.g., social, occupational, etc.
• The symptoms cannot be due to medication, substance use, or another illness.
• In personal injury and worker’s compensation cases, Criterion A is the most important criteria that have to be met.

Delayed Onset PTSD

The symptoms, in some cases, can be delayed in onset. If the symptoms start six months after the event, the individual can still be diagnosed with PTSD. Research indicates that additional life stressors or traumatic events may increase the likelihood that an individual will develop PTSD in response to a prior traumatic event that wasn’t causing them distress. The experience of the additional trauma or stress can impact their ability to cope with a prior traumatic event, increasing the likelihood that existing subthreshold PTSD symptoms become more severe.

Tests Used to Diagnose PTSD in Personal Injury Cases

Structured interviews and symptom questionnaires:

· Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS)
· Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID)
· PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
· Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI)
· Detailed Assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress (DAPS)

Personality questionnaires with validity indicators:

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, 2nd edition, Restructured Format (MMPI-2 RF)
· Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI)

Treatment

PTSD is debilitating yet treatable. Trauma caused by intentional interpersonal violence, such as rape and physical assault, is associated with more PTSD symptoms than those caused by non-human factors, such as natural disasters or unintended acts, such as car accidents.

The length of treatment varies greatly depending on the severity of the traumatic stressor and how the stressor impacted the patient.

We provide comprehensive assessments and short-term and long-term treatment for patients experiencing psychological symptoms due to personal injury cases on a lien basis.

At Illuminated Path Therapy and Coaching Center, our treatment is based on evidence and supported by research, utilizing modalities such as Somatic Therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to heal trauma associated with their injury.